Introduction to Geomagnetically Trapped Radiation

An introductory textbook aimed at first year graduate students specialising in magnetospheric physics.

Martin Walt (Author)

9780521616119, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 15 December 2005

192 pages, 70 b/w illus. 2 tables 57 exercises
24.6 x 18.9 x 1 cm, 0.35 kg

This book is an introductory textbook on the physical processes occurring in the Earth's radiation belts. The presentation is at the advanced undergraduate or first year graduate level, and it is appropriate for students who intend to work in some aspect of magnetospheric physics. The treatment is quantitative and provides the mathematical basis for original work in this subject. The equations describing the motion of energetic ions and electrons in the geomagnetic field are derived from basic principles, and concepts such as magnetic field representations, guiding centre motion, adiabatic invariance, and particle distribution functions are presented in a detailed and accessible manner. Relevant experimental techniques are reviewed and a summary is given of the intensity and energy spectra of the particle populations in the Earth's radiation belts. Problem sets are included as well as appendices of tables, graphs and frequently used formulas.

Preface
1. The Earth's radiation belts
2. Charged particle motion in magnetic and electric fields
3. The geomagnetic field
4. Adiabatic invariants
5. Particle fluxes, distribution functions and radiation belt measurements
6. Particle diffusion and transport
7. Diffusion in pitch angle
8. Diffusion in the L coordinate or radial diffusion
9. Summary and comments
References
Appendices
Index.

Subject Areas: Atmospheric physics [PHVJ]